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I just took delivery of a beautiful 2017 Acura MDX SH-AWD with tech package. We traded our 17' Honda CRV on it. Love the new SUV. Sure wish we could get rid of the deeply imbedded cigarette smoke, but we are getting closer all the time with that.
Question through- I would like to install a tow hitch, but I don't want it to hang too far below the bumper as many of the aftermarket versions will. Are there good options aside from the OEM version that will hold it high and tight? Really looking to install our Thule Bike rack and maybe occasionally haul our 2 ATVs on a flat bed lightweight aluminum trailer, so I don't need the Transmission cooler etc.. Thoughts?
The OEM hitch is a dream. Easy to install as long as you follow the instructions. It even comes with a new lower valance that it goes through. Everything else I have seen sticks down under the valance. Like you to me they all look tacky. Yea, cheaper, but for what I paid I want neat not tacky.
Thank you Donn! I couldn't tell "online" if the OEM versions I could get at a dealer included that new valance. That makes me feel better. I have seen prices ranging quite a bit online depending on which dealer I buy from. Seen them from low $300's to $389 at my local dealer. What have you seen?
I bought mine from an online dealer. It was cheaper, but shipping is a real killer. If you think you might ever tow a small trailer be sure to get the power cord set too. It needs to be installed to the hitch before you install the hitch to the car. You can download the instructions from several online sources to read up before buying. Because of its weight etc its much easier if you have a helper. Of course you will want a torque wrench and several metric sockets including I think a 24mm to torque the bolts with.
I did the OEM hitch and harness install myself on mine. Very straightforward install, and super clean look when done. I you know how to turn a wrench, it won't be a problem.
Used the same cover on my 11 MDX Adv to cover my full size spare for years (never had to use my spare on the 11 MDX). It doesn't cover the tire completely and the open section of the cover that touches the underside of the MDX will still get the spare tire extremely dirty over time. My solution that is working so far is wrap the spare tire in an used Discount Tire bag and then mount. The tire bag comes in handy if I need to toss the flat tire in hatch if it is wet, dirty and/or shredded.
Got in the habit of setting the PSI to +45 on the full size spare so I only have to check 1-2 times a year.
I went cheap and bought OEM hitch, but aftermarket 4 pin harness. I hardly ever tow and the trailers I use are 4 pins anyway.
I did the same thing. Installed the OEM hitch without the factory wiring piece - which meant that the punch-out in the new facia panel stayed in place. I keep the Curt aftermarket wiring inside the under-floor storage area and pull it out only when I need to haul my utility trailer.
I bought the rack kit and the factory wiring harness. I am hoping to install it this week. The "honey do" list has been getting out of hand and keeping me from getting it done.
Thank you MrGold. By the way, VERY nice shine on your MDX there. Are you doing anything special to it? Looks great.
It is hard to see; but, I have Suntek Ultra PPF strip on the rear bumper where you would normally lean against to access the hatch. It ends at the seam in the middle of the bumper. The rest of the rear painted bumper/hatch, 4 doors, and roof are covered in CQuatz Finest ceramic coating. I also did Suntek PPF on the entire front end, LEDs, and side mirrors. Very easy to hand wash and dry in under 30 mins to showroom shine with the PPF and ceramic coating
Beautiful car. Thank you for sharing. With mine being 4 years old, it is still in really nice shiny shape. But I intend to "clay it" here in the next few weeks and was considering doing a ceramic. But with the paint being that old, wondered if that was wise. Need to learn more about it.
Beautiful car. Thank you for sharing. With mine being 4 years old, it is still in really nice shiny shape. But I intend to "clay it" here in the next few weeks and was considering doing a ceramic. But with the paint being that old, wondered if that was wise. Need to learn more about it.
I would do a color correction before adding the ceramic coating. The color correction is the is the biggest cost and takes the most labor if the paint needs some work. Doing that will locking in that perfect shine with ceramic coating.
This looks like a good place to ask the question. We are expecting a second baby and I have a pack rat wife. Instead of moving to minivan, I want to look at my options with towing or roof rack. It makes sense to do towing in my mind and have different attachments for different situations rather than roof rack. I am however very new to towing and hitch and such. Any recommendations on the setup for hauling extra few luggages? Should I just go real big and haul a live in trailer? Haha
This looks like a good place to ask the question. We are expecting a second baby and I have a pack rat wife. Instead of moving to minivan, I want to look at my options with towing or roof rack. It makes sense to do towing in my mind and have different attachments for different situations rather than roof rack. I am however very new to towing and hitch and such. Any recommendations on the setup for hauling extra few luggages? Should I just go real big and haul a live in trailer? Haha
I may be new to the Acura scene, but I am no stranger to needing to get around with kiddos. I have four children (including twins for the first two) and it definitely affected what we drove, how we packed, and how we traveled and recreated.
I went the minivan route for a very short time. All we could afford at the time was a very used Ford Windstar, and I hated driving it. The local Boy Scout troop I was involved in called it the "Blue Dart" which was such a dagger to my young dad heart. But....my wife did think it was easier to pack the kids in it. But we ended up going Suburban a year or so later due to the fact that we towed an ATV trailer, needed snow worthy road handling ability and especially because I am an avid outdoorsman and spend time off road. Here is what I will say:
Aside from the fact that your wife will be tasked with loading the kids in and out of the car most of the time, and will be driving it most of the time, you really need to make sure she is on board with you in your decision as well. That said, with the tow hitch, you can buy an accessory tow hitch carrier. This made a huge difference in providing more space. It was a great place to store extra items that didn't fit in the cargo area of our vehicles. My friend (father of 6) drives a Honda Pilot with their family. They have used my hitch carrier often enough that they bought one of their own too. Almost a necessity with these "3rd row" SUVs if you plan to actually use the 3rd row for passengers. There just isn't a lot of space behind that back seat. With just two kiddos, you can make more space by lowering the back seat, but use it when you are in a pinch and need to. This is actually why we bought the MDX is we wanted to squeeze the ability of another couple people into the car if the need arose. And this is one of the main reasons I installed my factory hitch on the MDX is so I had the option to haul more on the outside.
I had a bike rack on the roof on my 2015 Toyota RAV4. Used it legitimately 2 times. I absolutely HATED having to get something up on that roof. Now....I am vertically challenged as well, so that creates a bit of an issue for me anyway, but it is not easy to transport on a roof rack. Just wanted to share my experience there.
Awesome information and insight! That makes so much sense with the utilization of the 3rd row seat! They are always down except for the in the pinch moment with my sister in law’s family of 3 a handful of times. My kid just turned 3 as well so still using large toddler seat. I will look to get a good deal on the oem trailer hitch from dealerships nearby. Next question is whether I should get the trans cooler and get that 5k tow capacity sticker! While we don’t do outdoor sports, I am looking to get into racing with my own car. Perhaps I can use my mdx to tow my is300/future car toys and wheels and Jack/Jack stands and tools.
I found a used hitch, but does not come with the bumper plastic piece or the mounting bolts or the covers. anyone knows how to get the bolts and bumper trim separately?
03-23-2021, 01:15 PM
